Sneak Peak: Bellissima behind the scenes

For those of you who were unable to joins us for Fashion Week we had Jason Eng come and and take some behind the scenes snap shots. They all turned out amazingly well and we are simply not able to post them all on the blog, visit our facebook page for a further look of what went on on the big day. 

The Video

Video Courtesy of CalgaryFashion.ca

The Reviews Are In

Bellissima, the gracious leading sponsor of Alberta Fashion Week have re-branded themselves to bring something different to shoppers and the results have created quite the stir. The crowd loved the new edginess and rawness added to the Bellissima mix.

Black was the colour of choice for outfits but the cuts, colour and patterns made each piece it’s own. The red hot, front side zip leather jacket paired with black jeans was the winning piece. By simply adding a staple leather jacket in a bright colour can really add some spice to one’s style palette.

The breezy one-piece jumper has made its come back and fashionable is the only word to truly describe it.

As for dresses, Bellissima took the tender loving approach, comfortable and sexy. A black and sleeveless dress with a silver zipper in the front and pockets on the side; was worn over black leggings which made for a great combination. For ladies wanting to show off their gorgeous legs for the summer time, there were several stunning pieces to choose from: the flashy one-shouldered flowy red dress, the classic black and white horizontal striped dress broken apart with a solid black strip on the front and how can we forget the funky sand-coloured dress with black and white stripes on both sides, with a touch of orange for pop.

Words by Daniela Codreanu

Main photo: Courtesy of Lions Lace Lattes

Thumbnail photos: Jason Waight

From: CalgaryFashion.ca

Press: Alberta Fashion Week Edition

The Bellissima Jumpsuit made it to the pages of 24hr Magazine on Friday, May 20th. Stylist Jennifer Lyle posed for a quick Q&A about Alberta Fashion Week and she looked stunning. To read the full article click HERE. We are excited to bring you all the coverage from the past week's events so make sure to keep checking back.

Reading Room: May

If you ever watched Saturday Night Live (SNL) you will know Tina Fey as the hilarious anchor of the Weekend Update (2000-2006), fast forward a couple of years and she has become the creator of one of the funniest and most successful shows on television. 30 Rock has acquired a cult following and earned itself many prestigious awards including the Emmy in 2007 for Outstanding Comedy Series. 

Bossypants is a hilarious memoir style read where the author takes us through her experiences in standup and her progression into television, she spares herself at no expense, seeing humour in every aspect of life. As a mother she shares her personal take on the truth of parenting and as a woman objectively analyzes her ups and downs. This is a great read not only for those recently familiar with Fey's work but for all of those interested in modern comedy. I saw this book among gift ideas for father's day in the bookstore, but this book knows no gender. Both males and females will find it equally entertaining. This is a perfect summer read, it is light, perceptive and definitely worth a laugh or two.

From Amazon.com 

Amazon Best Books of the Month, April 2011: Tina Fey’s new book Bossypants is short, messy, and impossibly funny (an apt description of the comedian herself). From her humble roots growing up in Pennsylvania to her days doing amateur improv in Chicago to her early sketches on Saturday Night Live, Fey gives us a fascinating glimpse behind the curtain of modern comedy with equal doses of wit, candor, and self-deprecation. Some of the funniest chapters feature the differences between male and female comedy writers ("men urinate in cups"), her cruise ship honeymoon ("it’s very Poseidon Adventure"), and advice about breastfeeding ("I had an obligation to my child to pretend to try"). But the chaos of Fey’s life is best detailed when she’s dividing her efforts equally between rehearsing her Sarah Palin impression, trying to get Oprah to appear on 30 Rock, and planning her daughter’s Peter Pan-themed birthday. Bossypants gets to the heart of why Tina Fey remains universally adored: she embodies the hectic, too-many-things-to-juggle lifestyle we all have, but instead of complaining about it, she can just laugh it off. --Kevin Nguyen

Traveling in Style

As the weather warms, you begin to feel that familiar yearning to pack a bag and take off for a weekend. There is something so glamorous about immersing yourself in a foreign environment, clad in your favorite pieces and toting a very chic bag around. And naturally when you are on vacation you are entitled to a drink (perhaps a Cosmopolitan, extra limes please), in fact you have earned it. Cheers to leisure! 

So when you do have that special trip booked, here are a few things that are necessary to pack:

1. A light scarf or Pashmina – perfect for wrapping yourself in when the car or plane ride gets chilly (check out our gift ideas post on Pashminas: CLICK HERE)

2. A chic passport cover

3. Comfortable walking shoes

4. Fabulous evening shoes

5. A neutral, light jacket that will work with all possible weather conditions like this one at left. Notice the gorgeous rouching on the sleeves and the collar detail (love).

Boy Voyage!

The New Must-Have Look: The Editrix

Image Source: http://www.facebook.com/katelanphear

It all started with Anna Wintour and those dark, shady glasses. That fierce, tight-lipped expression and her ice cold demeanor. With Anna, an obsession with the women behind the pages of our favorite glossies was born. As of the past few years, thanks to social media and the rise of fashion blogs, we are now privy to the daily musings of the world’s most elite fashion editors, like one of my personal favorites, Elle Magazine’s Kate Lanphear. 

Sitting front row from left to right: Elle Magazine Style Director Kate Lanphear, Elle Magazine Market Director Joann Pailey and Creative Director of Elle Magazine Joe Zee. Image Source: zimbio.com

Image Source: http://www.facebook.com/katelanphear

Kate exudes a coolness that seems untouchable, likely to do with all that leather and those tough spiked bracelets. This look really isn’t as hard to pull of as it looks, all you need are a good pair of leather pants and a leather jacket, a few spike-adorned bracelets, a dark pair of Ray Bans and of course high heels, and you’re set. I mean fierce! 

Check out this look from Bellissima:

These pieces hit all the right notes; they’re fitted and figure flattering, a little tough looking and oh-so versatile when worked in with other pieces. The jacket would be fantastic over a simple white tank and boot cut jeans, or pair the pants with a loose silk blouse for a more casual day or evening style. Just be sure to finish off your look with a little attitude – confidence is key. So is a good strut. 

Wishing you much fierce-ness,

Olivia

Summer Weddings are Just Around the Corner

The scenario: That dear friend’s daughter’s wedding has just crept up and you’ve completely forgotten about what to wear. Naturally, you have a beautiful card picked out and a gift neatly wrapped lying ready to be given, but no dress for yourself.

I’ve been in that situation before, and it is not fun. (The last time it happened to me I was in such a state of frustration over the lack of wedding-appropriate attire, I ended up wearing a rather fitted, fire-engine-red number. Completely inappropriate for a wedding – I stood out, but not quite in the way I had intended.) Better luck this summer, I suppose. But we here at Bellissima will not let that happen to you!

I present to you a beautiful dress option that can take you from weddings to dinners out to work functions (perhaps with a little cardigan over top).

This dress is perfect for a few reasons:

1- The flattering neckline, shaped by those well-placed straps that are wide enough to conceal bra straps. (That’s actually two reasons.)

2- The length. No matter what age, I think a knee-length dress is very feminine and appropriate, not to mention flattering.

3- Notice the rouching around the hips, incredibly flattering, particularly for the tummy, hip and bottom areas.

And how fabulous is the colour? Who doesn’t look good in cobalt blue? Oooh, and the accessorizing options… The joys of being a woman!

Happy wedding season!

May Showers Bring (Fashion) Flowers

It's May and Spring is now here. I hope these showers aren't keeping you indoors and instead you're out seeing and trying on the latest fashion trends. Like every Spring, florals are back and making a HUGE statement. This year you must be noticing the new styles along with these florals. One of the hottest dresses on the runway this season was Stella McCartney's dress in botanical florals.

Whether it's a short sheath with hydrangeas or a long maxi dress splashed from chest to ankle with poppies, or something drape-y, you are guaranteed to find something that suits your body shape. A pastel border or a print on a white background. Wear it full waisted, tight in the waist with a floral print bottom, or as a long chiffon dress in a tropical print. You will surprise yourself with how updated you look and feel in this traditional style. You will be even more surprised when you see the price tag. As always Bellissima has found you a steal of a deal.  

My love of flowers stems from seeing so many wonderful English gardens. This love has brought me once again to Macy's on 34th street. Every year, they showcase the Macy's Flower Show in NEW YORK CITY with brilliant arrangements from some of America's distinguished floral designers who are featured daily. From March 27-April 10, the aisles of Macy's were themed as different types of gardens. Japanese, tropical, and desert styled gardens blossomed throughout the store, and filled the walls with their aroma. Being around so many wonderful bouquets of flowers and their marvelous scents, I was inspired to write this blog for you. Whether or not you're surrounded by a garden of flowers, hopefully the spring weather is enough to inspire you to try this wonderful look.

Perhaps you are one of those women who  could never imagine herself in anything floral. Well, time to sprout out of that bad habit and try something different. This is the YEAR to add floral to your wardrobe, and Bellissima is the store to discover your new found love for it. It's time to create your own bouquet! 

 

Love,

Carole

Bellissima on BT

Shea Kerwood, Ania Boniecka & Jill Belland

Bellissima was all over the morning breakfast show today and we were right there to catch the action. Bellissima's Fashion Week debut is only one week away!  Do you have your tickets yet? (Ania & Jill both wearing Joseph Ribkoff)

Bellissima & Alberta Fashion Week 2011

We are so excited to announce that Bellissima is the official sponsor of the Alberta Fashion Week. Some of you might have already seen the news on our Facebook and Twitter or heard it through the grape vine. With less than one week away we are in full swing of the preperations. If you are in Calgary, tune in to Breakfast Television on City TV tomorrow morning to watch Jill Belland rocking a gorgeous Bellissima outfit. Ania will be on location talking about the brand as well as what you can expect  from Bellissima in the near future. We will post the clip as soon as it hits the web.

GET YOU TICKETS TO ALBERTA FASHION WEEK HERE... Bellissima will be showing on May 19th, the shows are starting at 6:00 pm. We have seen some of the outfit picks for the event and are very excited to see them hit the runway. Some new boundaries are going to be pushed as Bellissima enters a new decade in high fashion!

Celebrate Mother's Day with Style